The council voted 10-0 in favor of City Administrator Mark Koenen's recommendation to appoint Keegan, who was selected from a pool of 75 applicants.

Keegan thanked the council and city for their support after the vote, stopping to shake the hands of all 10 aldermen.

"I promise you I'll do the best job I can," Keegan said to the council.

He said it was a difficult decision to leave his current post as chief of the Streamwood Police Department, but decided to come to St. Charles because of the community's rich history and quality programming.

Keegan said he currently lives in St. Charles Township and his two children attend St. Charles District 303 schools.

Keegan has worked for the Streamwood Police Department for the past 21 years and has served as police chief since 2011.

Keegan on Monday sat next to St. Charles Interim Police Chief Steve Huffman, who has led the department since December when former St. Charles Police Chief Steve Lamkin stepped down to become Schaumburg's police chief.

Huffman was lauded for his work by 3rd Ward Alderman Bill Turner and St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina.

"You've done a great job – you are a wonderful asset to our police department," Rogina said.

Keegan's first official work day with St. Charles will be June 30, and he will be sworn in July 7, Koenen said.